Kelsaw learned he had diabetes at an event partnered with Focus on Health last year. The organization offers free screenings and low cost testing for people in the Fort Wayne area.

After what Kelsaw’s screening revealed last year he had a few more tests done, and discovered he needed to change his lifestyle right away.

"They told me, they said, if I hadn't of gotten in I was standing on the verge of having a stroke, or worse,” said Kelsaw.

Over the past year Kelsaw has changed his diet and says he walks more than six miles a day. And that hard work is paying off because since last January his blood sugar has dropped from 479 to 119.

"After about six months of the exercise and diet I was taking on, I felt myself, I started losing weight, and I started feeling better,” said Kelsaw.

"To know that all the hard work and the effort, and the caring that goes into running these health checks and these screenings for the community is, it's just very, very nice to hear that people are getting help,” said Marita Marquardt, Focus on Health.

Kelsaw says he encourages everyone to have a screening.

"It will save lives if you go do this because it saved mine, I know for sure,” said Kelsaw.

Focus on Health is sponsored by 21 Alive. The organization is holding its annual free health screenings in various locations across northeast Indiana from April 17 to April 27. For more information go to www.fohealth.com.

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